Oyo State | Kidnapped Methodist priest regains freedom

The Methodist priest that was kidnapped on his farm at Kufi area, along Olounda-Aba road, Ibadan on Thursday has regained freedom after five days in the kidnappers’ den.

Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Cathedral, Ibadan, Rt. Rev. Amos Ajiboye, said Rev. Dr. Biodun Ogunbekun was released on Tuesday but he did not give details of how he was released or how the kidnappers contacted the church and the priest family.

He said, “Our priest was released to us on Tuesday. We are grateful to God and all those that made it possible. We shall be making further statement in due time. He is resting after what he had gone through in the hands of his abductors.”

It was not clear if a ransom was paid to secure the release of the priest who is attached to Akobo-Ojurin branch of the church in Ibadan. But a source who pleaded anonymity said the kidnappers demanded for N10m from the family and the church before he could be released.

On the day he was kidnapped, Ogunbekun was in the farm with two of his staff.

The bishop said, “We were told that the kidnappers did not come with any vehicle or motorcycle. They tried to take the man of God away in his truck but they could not for some reason. They then decided to whisk him away on foot.”